Rock wider than football pitch could have devastating impact if it hits our planet – which, according to Nasa scientists, is possible

A newly identified asteroid, measuring between 40 and 100 metres wide, has been placed at the top of the asteroid risk list.

An asteroid the size of a football pitch could hit the Earth in seven years, astronomers have warned. The rocky object, measuring between 40 and 100 metres wide, was spotted on Christmas Day by a telescope in Chile and is believed to have a 1.2% chance of hitting our planet.